If your idea of a sexy night is recreating scenes from “Chocolat,” “Lady and the Tramp,” or “Sideways,” stop right there. We have some bad news for you that will rock your world and turn upside down every romantic thought you’ve ever had about wine and chocolate.
Author and nutritionist Lisa Davis says the secret to great sex in the bedroom might just be made in the kitchen. And, no, that does not include wine, pasta, fast food or even chocolate.
In her new book “Clean Eating, Dirty Sex,” Davis explains the correlation between nutrition, hormones and blood flow. And if you’re idea of an aphrodisiac is a stop at the Jack In The Box, listen up.
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Davis tells the New York Post that sugar interferes with your blood flow by causing “inflammation” in your capillaries. This swelling, she writes in her book, reduces “blood flow to sexual organs, impacting libido and performance in bed.”
She recommends cutting back on these four foods specifically.
Booze
Well, isn’t this a total bummer. Regarded as one of the main reasons two people even end up in bed together, Davis says it’s best to avoid alcohol before jumping into the sack with someone, especially if you want to climax. Not only does it cause dehydration, but she says “alcohol reduces testosterone levels [in men],” which can lower libido. Plus, “if you’re super drunk, it’s hard to have an orgasm.”
However, before you toss that bottle of red in favor of bubbly water, it should be noted Italian researchers learned awhile ago that red wine has compounds that increase a person’s sex drive.
According to VinePair:
What the researchers uncovered was that the red wine specifically increased blood flow to women’s erogenous areas, which in turn led to increased levels of desire. The researchers were quick to point out, however, that after more than a drink or two the other effects of alcohol began to take hold, which led to a less pleasurable experience. Moderation, it seems, is key.
The magic word here seems to be “moderation.”
RELATED: Red Wine Is The Best Alcohol For Great Sex And Here’s Why
Pasta
But, but…but what about all of those charming, dark Italian restaurants? Isn’t that where romance goes to bloom? Sure, if you don’t plan to get laid afterwards. And actually, it’s not just pasta, it’s any processed food. According to Davis, things like white flour raise your blood sugar and insulin levels that can lead to energy spikes as well as crashes, and can also disrupt your hormonal balance by “triggering your ovaries to overproduce” certain sex hormones. Well, okay, then.
Fast Food
This is kind of a no-brainer, and not something most people want to stuff themselves with before a roll in the hay. Regardless of what Carl’s Jr. tries to sell you, Davis explains that the trans-fats found in fatty foods, like fries, burgers and other greasy snacks not only increase your chances of heart disease, but they also inhibit the body’s production of nitric oxide, which helps control blood flow to our extremities — and “if you don’t have enough of that nitric oxide, you’re going to have a problem with erectile dysfunction.”
Plus, these same trans-fats create an imbalance of healthy omega-3 fat, which, in turn, creates feelings of sadness, pessimism and aggression. Kind of a buzzkill, don’t you think?
RELATED: Fast Food Puts Many People In A Crappy Mood After Eating It
Chocolate
A little chunk of dark chocolate (we’re talking at least 70 percent cacao) is just fine. Davis says this kind of chocolate “contains phenylethylamine, a chemical that boosts endorphins, [or] feel-good hormones.” It’s the processed chocolate found in most desserts you have to watch out for, especially pastries. “Sugar is the worst,” says Davis. “Its impact on obesity and diabetes” — both of which severely impact circulation — “are well-documented.” Stick to the real thing and you’ll be fine.
